Patients with certain conditions may need to avoid some types of asthma medications. Conditions of concern include:

• Food allergies. Individuals with allergies to soy lecithin, soybeans or peanuts should avoid using anticholinergic inhalers.
  
  
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Failure of the heart to beat at a normal, consistent pace. Theophylline, beta2 agonists and other bronchodilators may not be recommended. In addition, the use of mast cell stabilizers may not be advised.
  
  
• High blood pressure. Anticholinergics, theophylline, beta2 agonists and other bronchodilators may not be recommended. In addition, the use of mast cell stabilizers and corticosteroids may not be advised.
  
  
• High cholesterol. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Cardiovascular disease. Anticholinergics, theophylline, beta2 agonists and other bronchodilators may not be recommended. Physicians may also advise against the use of mast cell stabilizers.
  
  
• Weak heart. Weakened heart muscle. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Diabetes mellitus. A disorder in the body's ability to break down blood sugar (glucose). Theophylline and some types of corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Glaucoma. A group of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Anticholinergic inhalers, theophylline, beta2 agonists and other bronchodilators may not be recommended. In addition, the use of corticosteroids may not be advised.
  
  
• Hyperthyroidism. Excessive reaction of the thyroid organ, which normally regulates the metabolic rate. Anticholinergics, theophylline, beta2 agonists and other forms of bronchodilators may not be recommended.
  
  
• Hypothyroidism. Decreased production of thyroid hormone. Inhaled corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Urinary disease or difficulty urinating. Anticholinergics and other bronchodilators may not be recommended.
  
  
• Bleeding disorders. Anticholinergics and leukotriene modifiers may not be recommended.
  
  
• Systemic fungal infection. Inflammatory condition affecting the entire body and caused by an infection to a fungus. Oral or intravenous corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Strongyloides. Worm infestation. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Amebiasis. Infection with an amoeba (one-celled organism). Some types of nasal corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Seizures (epilepsy). Burst of abnormal electrical signals in the brain that interrupts normal brain function. Often characterized by convulsions. Theophylline may not be recommended.
  
  
• Phenylketonuria (PKU). An inherited metabolic disorder. Leukotriene modifiers may not be recommended.
  
  
• Peptic ulcer. Deep sore or break in the mucous membrane lining the digestive tract. Theophylline and corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Hiatal hernia. The protrusion of a portion of the stomach into the chest cavity through a natural opening in the diaphragm. Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Intestinal blockage or other intestinal problems. Anticholinergics and corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Ulcerative colitis. A disease involving ulcers of the large bowel. Anticholinergics and corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Characterized by the backflow (reflux) of acid or stomach contents from the stomach to the esophagus. Theophylline may not be recommended.
  
  
• Liver disease. Anticholinergics, mast cell stabilizers, theophylline and leukotriene modifiers may not be recommended. In addition, the use of corticosteroids may not be advised.
  
  
• Kidney disease. Anticholinergics, corticosteroids, theophylline and mast cell stabilizers may not be recommended.
  
  
• Prostate problems. Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Osteoporosis. A disorder in which the bones lose mass and density. Inhaled corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Chickenpox or measles. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Viral disease that weakens the immune system. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Eye infections. Mast cell stabilizer eye drops may not be recommended.
  
  
• Nasal polyps. Mast cell stabilizers nasal sprays may not be recommended.
  
  
• Fever. Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Pneumonia. An infection or inflammation of the lungs that results in the lungs’ air sacs becoming filled with fluid. Theophylline may not be recommended.
  
  
• Psychosis. A mental condition that causes people to lose touch with reality. Corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Tuberculosis. Infectious disease causing rounded swelling to form on the mucous membranes in the lungs. Oral or intravenous corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Myasthenia gravis. A neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness. Anticholinergics and corticosteroids may not be recommended.
  
  
• Downs syndrome. A genetic condition that causes developmental delays. Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Brain damage (in children). Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Spastic paralysis (in children). Anticholinergics may not be recommended.
  
  
• Pheochromocytoma. A rare and usually benign tumor that produces adrenaline, raising blood pressure and heart rate. Bronchodilators may not be recommended.